Taken a Bite out of Shadows Over Somerset by @OccultDetective #horror

Today I am excited to have two great books to review. I normally would not have done this but I was so thrilled with both of the choices and the last week of reading has been joyful. Shadows Over Somerset is a contemporary Gothic horror published by Seventh Star Press. My next review today is for Hands of Chaos. Believe it or not, Shadows Over Somerset is also set in Indiana, I so do not need to go there, right?

Vampires, Werewolves Witches and men in Kilts.. Oh my! Seriously this was a crazy ride. A 700 year-old clan war. A lost heir, a crazy vampire girl (who seriously needs a Thorazine laced blood bag) with a cocky vampire hunter and that is just the first 10% of the bloody book! Where it went from there was a head-spinning crazy-ass ride of whoop-whoop fun! I also always love anything which brings in at least a mention of my hometown of Seattle. The paranormal investigation is pretty cool too.

This is Contemporary Gothic horror. The witchcraft written about is spot on (thank you Bob-bo) which always is a thrill for this witchy-poo to read. I loved the mixture of modern and already established horror story devices and arcs. Even though the story is set in modern day Indiana, the Gothic flavor really seeps through, much like the dampness of manor, graves and crypts. It was brand new and yet felt like a classic at the same time. Thrilling, chilling and full of horror. One of my favorite things were the protagonists and the antagonists were just as lovable. I wish there was a bit more development with some of them or at least a place to breath. Perhaps I was glamoured by Inari the wicked bitch of the cemetery. It was a good read and like I said a crazy ride!

It was full of wonderful creatures, and a full cast of characters and modern day monsters as well. This herein lies my problem with the book. There was just to many characters and though many were developed OK many .. well I just got lost! It bounced back and fourth so rapidly and at times there was a marker to show it was from a different persons point of view or a different room, time, era, room… country? I know, but it got confusing. If the markers would have been consistent, I lost who, what, and where I was. And yes, I had a review copy but because of issues with the Mobi file, the publisher gave me the final file they used for all the sites. At any rate, because of this it took me longer to finish the book. I lost interest or got tired trying to figure it out. The writing was not bad or I would not have finished it, in fact it was good. But I believe it needed more obvious breaks so readers did not have to be pulled out of the story to re-read to make sure they knew where they were. I know a lot of folks who enjoy this type of chaotic scene changes but it was a bit to much for me.

This is the second edition of the book. It was originally published in a much shorter novel (206 pages) back in 2006. Though it was not that obvious, I was able to tell a few places where the scenes or descriptions were filled out somewhat. Maybe this was some of the jarring reading aspects. Still I liked the book. Oh and for you cover whores? Look how gorgeous Enggar Adirasa has made them! I will be adding the illustrations which come in the paperback and hardback edition.

Michael Somers is brought to Cairnwood, an isolated manor in rural Indiana, to sit at the deathbed of a grandfather he never knew existed. He soon finds himself drawn into a strange and esoteric world filled with werewolves, vampires, witches… and a family curse that dates back to fourteenth century Scotland.

In the sleepy little town of Somerset, an ancient evil awakens, hungering for blood and vengeance… and if Michael is to survive he must face his inner demons and embrace his family’s dark past.

Shadows Over Somerset is the first Cairnwood Manor Novel.

I received this book from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Breakdown on my Rating

Cover

Character Development

Editing

World Building

Overall:

About Bob Freeman

Bob Freeman doesn’t just write and draw occult detectives, he’s also a card carrying paranormal adventurer who founded Nightstalkers of Indiana in 1983.
Bob’s studies have focused on mythology, witchcraft, magic, and religion and these interests are reflected in his art, both as an author and illustrator.

Oh wait, since it has become a thing… as I have mentioned before, the goats will eat anything. These goats apparently like the taste of Witches, Werewolves and Vampires.. OH MY! Tweet the Gothic Goats of Love! They are the true ones who are “taking a bite” out of the book!